Marilyn Mayes Bradbury, 70, died May 6, 2013 as a result of complications from multiple myeloma, cancer of the blood plasma. Marilyn worked in the fields of philanthropy and communications in Charlotte, NC for most of her professional life, was an active community volunteer, and was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. In her encore career after retiring back to the Atlanta area in 2002, she worked for Georgia Family Connection Partnership, a statewide effort to improve conditions for children and families. She also served as a consultant to the CF Foundation, the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, and others. For almost 20 years she worked at Foundation For The Carolinas in Charlotte where she retired as senior vice president for community initiative. She was responsible for overseeing most grantmaking programs of the Foundation, which is the largest community foundation in North Carolina. She provided leadership for the development of the “Building a Better Future” initiative, the Foundation’s first major pro-active grantmaking program, the focus of which included early childhood education, youth development, and race/ethnic relations. She also worked with individual donors in planning and implementing their charitable giving. When she retired, the Charlotte Area Donors Forum established the Marilyn M. Bradbury Service Award to recognize Marilyn and others for making outstanding contributions to the field of philanthropy. Born and raised in Marietta, GA, Marilyn worked as a reporter for The Marietta Daily Journal and moved to Charlotte in 1968 to join the staff of The Charlotte News. Subsequently she was named the first director of public information for Mecklenburg County government and later served as a communications consultant. In Charlotte, Marilyn was active in many community activities including serving as chairperson of the Mecklenburg Commission on the Status of Women, a member of the Charlotte Women’s Political Caucus, and a founding member of the Council for Children. She served on the Vestry and Parish Council at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church. She was a member of the Board of Directors of the Dilworth Community Development Association, chaired the Dilworth Jubilee, and wrote an original musical play called “A Dream of Dilworth” which was presented as part of the Dilworth neighborhood centennial. In Georgia, she served as a volunteer at the Marietta Museum of History, on the board of the Churches Homes Foundation, and was a member of St. James’ Episcopal Church. Marilyn was married for 40 years to her late husband, Paul Thomas (Tom) Bradbury, who was an associate editor and editorial writer at The Charlotte News and The Charlotte Observer. She is survived by two children and three grandchildren. Her son, John Charles Bradbury, is a Department Chair and Professor at Kennesaw State University. He lives in Marietta with his wife Rachael and two daughters, Rebekah Bowman Bradbury and Sarah Martin Bradbury. Her daughter, Elizabeth Bradbury Hamilton, lives in San Mateo, CA with husband, Ryan. They have one daughter, Anne Mayes Hamilton. Marilyn graduated from Marietta High School where she was valedictorian and editor of The Pitchfork, the school newspaper. She earned a B.A. in English from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, GA, and an M.B.A. from Queens University in Charlotte. Marilyn was born November 30, 1942. Her parents were the late Charles (Charlie) M. Mayes and Marjorie Williams Mayes. Surviving siblings are: Nancy Mayes Thrash and her husband Dr. W. Virgil Thrash of Asheville, NC; and Susan Mayes Hallman and her husband Randy Hallman of Douglasville, GA. Marilyn also is survived by brothers-and-sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Marilyn’s maternal grandparents were the late Thomas F. and Ollie Hadaway Williams of west Cobb County and her paternal grandparents were Allen Newton and Mollie Orr Mayes of the Lost Mountain Community outside Marietta. Arrangements will be handled by Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home and Crematory in Marietta, GA. A memorial service will be held 3:00 pm Friday at St. James’ Episcopal Church, 161 Church Street, Marietta GA, 30060. The family will receive guests afterwards in the Fellowship Hall. Burial will be at Midway Presbyterian Church Cemetery, 4635 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs, GA 30127. The family requests that memorials be sent to St. James’ Episcopal Church for Pathfinders Program, 161 Church Street, Marietta, GA 30060, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 1510 E. Seventh Street, Charlotte, NC 28204, Friendship Trays at friendshiptrays.org, or Georgia Family Connection Partnership, 235 Peachtree Street, Suite 1600, Atlanta, GA 30303.

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